Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-07-29


The sixth annual meeting of the Ameri
can Forestry Congress is to be held in
Springfiel Id, ILL.,, September IA to l6. The
former meetings of this body have done
much to encourage tree culture and to
create public sentiment in favor of the
preservation of our forests, and we are
glad to know that the organization is in
prosperous condition and encouraged to
proceed with its work.
The importance Of preserving our tim
Der supply is still inadequately realized by
the majority of American citizens. The
American Forestry Congress in Its circu
lar gives some strong reasons why ma
lures efforts to repair the inroads made
by man upon forest growths should be
seconded by legislation and intelligent
concerted action. The circular states that
the present forest area of the country less
than 500, 100000 acres cannot, in its pres
ent condition, and under present methods
of utilization, furnish a continuous sup
ply of wood of all kinds even to our pres
ent population of 6OO00,O0O, the annual
consumption being over 20 billion cubic
feet that the supply of building material,
if slaughtered in the same manner as
heretofore, without regard to recupera-
ton, will be practically eXhausted before
any new crop now started can he ready
for use that our supplies will be inferior
IN quality and inferior in amount per acre,
if left to natures methods of re-fOresta-
ton after the forcibe interference by
man, while an increased population will
make larger demands on these resources ;
and that in spite of the employment OF
substitutes, the consumption OF wood Is
increasing with the increase of popula-
ton all over the world. On Germany the
consumption of coal has increased 265 per
cent within "a years, and yet the wood
production has increased in similar ratio.
Considered merely as regards material
supply, the question of forest preservation
has reached stage which calls for the
earnest attention of the economist.
Another consideration is the fact that
the equilibrium of the forces regulating
water supply and soil-conditions Is be-
ginning to be disturbed, to the detrlment
of agriculture, by a needlessly wasteful
and improvident management of our for
est areas. 1t is to coVnteract this destruct-
i've tendency and to eradicate the exist
ing feeling of unconcern in regard to one
of the most important factors of economic
progress" that the American Forestry
Congress was organized. 1t counts on its
membership roll and upon its list of Off
GERS the names of some of the most prom
inent economists in the United states.
The Congress meets annually, and by It's
discoveries endeavors to incite or enlarge
local interest in the question of forestry.
1t encourages and assists in the formation
of local forestry associations which will
translate teachings into practical results
it tries to create a sentiment favorable to
its objects by publishing proceedings and
appeals and to induce and support legis-
lation looking toward forest preservation
and the encouragement of forest planting
The work of this association deserves to
be encouraged in every way, especially as
its officers are working without any posi-
BILE selfish inducement, in the Interest OF
the public at large,